We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Scotty Whitelaw as our new Engineering Lead at HTMS. Scotty will be instrumental in supporting our existing engineering team as we advance our Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) system, with a particular focus on automotive applications.

With over a decade of experience in the composites industry, Scotty brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise across various sectors, including aerospace, commercial vehicles, and motorsport. His diverse background and innovative approach make him a valuable addition to our team.

Scotty's journey began at the University of Hertfordshire, where he studied Motorsport Technology. This academic foundation paved the way for a career dedicated to the development of advanced composite materials. His experience encompasses wet lay compression moulding, autoclaving, and the creation of high-performance composite structures for manufacturing.

Throughout his career, Scotty has been involved in pioneering projects in aerospace and motorsport, applying his expertise to enhance material performance in challenging environments. His work in commercial vehicles has further broadened his skill set, ensuring that composite innovations are both durable and commercially viable.

As part of the HTMS team, Scotty will continue to drive advancements in composite technology, leveraging his extensive experience to push the boundaries of high-temperature, lightweight, high-strength materials. We are excited to see the impact he will make on our projects and the industry as a whole.

Scotty Whitelaw shared his enthusiasm for the new role: "I am excited to join HTMS Tech and work with such a talented team. I look forward to contributing to the development of innovative composite solutions that will drive the future of automotive technology."

Dr Richard Grainger, our CTO, also expressed his confidence in Scotty's appointment: "Scotty's extensive experience and innovative mindset make him the perfect fit for our team. We are confident that his contributions will significantly enhance our capabilities and help us achieve our ambitious goals."

Welcome aboard, Scotty!

HTMS is excited to announce our involvement in the Low Cost Carbon-Carbon Composites (LC3) project in collaboration with Cranfield University. This initiative is aimed at developing and validating innovative manufacturing processes to produce high performance non-oxide ceramic composites at a significantly reduced cost.

Advanced Carbon-based composites have long been sought after for their strength, durability, and resistance to extreme condition. However, the traditionally high costs associated with these materials have posed a significant barrier to widespread adoption. The Low Cost Carbon-Carbon Composites project aims to address this challenge by establishing cost effective solutions that do not compromise on quality or performance.

Danilo Di Salvo, CEO of HTMS added

“We are delighted to further strengthen our collaboration with Cranfield University, particularly with Dr. Geoff Neale and Dr. David Ayre, both of whom are renowned experts in composite manufacturing. There is a strong industry demand for affordable non-oxide CMCs, and we recognise the immense potential in meeting this need. By combining HTMS’s expertise in CMC technology with Cranfield’s world class facilities and research capabilities, we are taking a significant step towards making affordable non-oxide CMCs a reality.”

By applying HTMS’s specialist knowledge in ceramic composites and leveraging Cranfield University’s extensive research capabilities, this partnership seeks to drive innovation in carbon composite manufacturing. The research will explore novel production techniques, material formulations, and process optimisations to enhance affordability without sacrificing the integrity of the final product. This collaboration represents an important first step towards making advanced carbon composites more accessible to a broader range of requirements.

One of the key goals of the project is to refine existing manufacturing methods while integrating novel technologies and processes to achieve efficiency gains. The project team aims to streamline the manufacturing process, reducing waste and production time while maintaining mechanical performance. Moreover, the implications of this research extend beyond immediate cost savings. The project has the potential to foster greater sustainability in composite manufacturing by reducing material waste and energy consumption. As industries increasingly prioritise eco-friendly solutions, the ability to produce composites in a more sustainable and cost effective manner becomes even more crucial.

HTMS and Cranfield University are committed to ensuring that the knowledge and innovations derived from this project are translated into real-world applications. Through close collaboration with industry partners and end users, the research will be tailored to meet market needs and support the broader adoption of 
advanced carbon composites.

Richard Grainger, CTO of HTMS stated

“I am particularly happy to kick off this project following on from a successful MSc project that we sponsored in the last academic year. The facilities and knowledge base at Cranfield is sector leading. The team at Cranfield has invested in some great equipment to be used in this project and future work packages. I look forward to expanding this relationship over the coming years.”

By addressing key cost and scalability challenges, the Low Cost Carbon-Carbon Composites project aims to develop a carbon-carbon composite supply chain in the UK. HTMS is proud to contribute to this initiative and looks forward to delivering innovative solutions that shape the future of high performance carbon/carbon composites.

The project will run until July 2025.

You can read Cranfield's press release here - Low-cost carbon/carbon composites (LC3) (cranfield.ac.uk)


If you'd like to learn more then please get in touch via the 'contact us' button below.


HTMS partners with Cranfield University on low-cost carbon/carbon composites project

2025 kicked off with a bang at HTMS with the news that we have been successful, alongside our partner Raeon, in a bid to secure £43,000 of funding from the Niche Vehicle Network (NVN) for a feasibility study for the next generation of EV battery boxes.

The research programme will enable HTMS to accelerate our material development programme for use within a EV battery box system.  This is the next step in our journey towards the overall goal of making a lighter, safer and higher performing product for the EV market.

The project is due to run until April 25 when further details will be available.....

"This research has been part funded by The Department for Business and Trade (DBT), through The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), supported by Innovate UK and managed by the Niche Vehicle Network."


"The Niche Vehicle Network is a free to join networking and support organisation focused on enabling UK low volume vehicle manufacturers and design and engineering companies to research and develop innovative zero tailpipe emission vehicle technologies. The Network is funded by the Department for Business and Trade, The Advanced Propulsion Centre and Innovate UK."

HTMS wins NVN funding for next generation EV battery box

HTMS expands Engineering Team